From clean, tranquil beaches, to bustling harbours; from kayaking to amazing seaside walks, now’s the perfect time to plan some top coastal days out in the New Forest.
We have more than 40-miles of ‘secret’ coastline encompassing all the above, plus places to surf, paddleboard and watch some amazing wildlife, as well as explore a history that covers everything from Henry VIII to D-Day.
Start on the Forest’s eastern tip, where Calshot’s sleepy seashore awaits you, complete with Insta-worthy beach-huts and dramatic views of The Needles and Southampton Water. Venture to the end of the Spit itself, and you’ll find one of Henry VIII’s coastal forts but don’t forget to check out Calshot, to explore the wildlife and landscape of the New Forest’s quietest corner. Love a big liner? Calshot is the perfect spot to catch one of the Queens.
A little further along you’ll find Lepe Beach, accessed through the Lepe Country Park, where you can see remains of the Mulberry Harbours which were manufactured for use in the D-Day landings, as well as beautiful views - a children’s playpark and a fab café – swimming and paddling is not advised here because of dangerous currents.
Going west, you’ll find Hurst Spit, a lonely shingle arm encasing the Keyhaven Saltmarsh and leading back to the pretty village of Milford-on-Sea and its beach, with plenty of facilities nearby, including fish and chips in the village.
For a family fossil hunt, check out Barton-on-Sea, a sand and stone beach that is famed for gastropods and shark’s teeth, which can be found on the foreshore, past the sea defences at low tide. There are plenty of helpful facilities nearby, including wonderful cafes, making this a great choice for a family day in the fresh air.
Venture a little further west and you’ll come to Hordle Cliff beach, accessed from a steep set of steps with pretty Naish beach along from that.
Then, you’re on to the sandcastle heaven that is Highcliffe, Friars Cliff and Avon beaches, all set along the golden crescent of sand leading to the fabled Mudeford Spit, with its picture-postcard beach chalets.
From Mudeford Quay you can take the ferry over to the spit, then walk round the wild coastline at Hengistbury Head. Return through its hilly heathland, where wildlife and ancient history – the settlement there dates back to the Stone Age – intertwine, and enjoy some of the best views on the south coast.
For yet more history - and a truly unique coastal experience - visit Britain’s only working tide mill at Eling, on the Forest’s eastern edge. The mill has been working on and off for 900 years and you can still watch it grind although, because of changing tides, this only happens at certain times, so make sure you don’t miss them.
If you want to see where the BBC filmed part of its recent Great Expectations series –get along to Buckler’s Hard, near Beaulieu. It may look like a picture-postcard village now, but wind back 200 years and Buckler’s Hard was at the heart of the shipbuilding industry – Lord Nelson’s favourite ship, HMS Agamemnon was built here.
As well as enjoying the beautiful surroundings, visitors can also explore historic cottage displays and discover the fascinating history of the village in its Maritime Museum.
Prefer to be more active? Our coastline has got you covered for everything from long-distance walks, to kayak trips and trad beach activities like crabbing.
Wildlife watchers may want to cycle or walk along Tanners Lane to the tiny Tanners Beach near Lymington, where the New Forest ponies have been seen to enjoy a paddle!
There are birds galore at Keyhaven saltmarshes, now a 500-acre wildlife refuge but once the salt-pans that made the nearby town of Lymington so prosperous in the Georgian era. Keep a look out, too, for the otters at nearby Lymington Reed Beds Nature Reserve.
Sturt Pond Bridge at Milford-on-Sea or Mudeford Quay are our secret spots for crabbing. Once you’ve had a good old look at your finds, gently place the crabs back in their environment, ready for another day.
We have some wonderful coastal walks, including the Sea Air Trail. At 5.5 miles long it can easily be completed in a day and will take you from Lymington to Keyhaven nature reserve. Walk on along shingly Hurst Spit where the Isle of Wight seems so near, you could touch it, before enjoying a coffee and a stare at the magnificent lighthouse and castle there.
Feeling more adventurous? Few people will be able to take the estimated 10 months needed to walk the England Coastal Path, but it can be completed in sections and our nearest part is The Solent Way. The 60-mile route runs from Milford-on-Sea in the western New Forest, to Emsworth Harbour in East Hampshire. It follows the coastline, passing through Lymington, Beaulieu and Hythe.
For details of more than 40 great (and much shorter!) walks, visit thenewforest.co.uk/things-to-do/walking
Grown-ups don’t have to miss out, either. Escape Yachting will help you get on the water in style, with their programme of day-time and early evening yacht trips. Meanwhile, New Forest Activities can sort you with kayak and canoe trips, many of them bespoke, which will give you a whole, new perspective on this beautiful and unspoilt area.
*If you’re going into the sea, ALWAYS remember to check tides, current conditions and seek advice from lifeguards before entering the water. Most of the beaches listed here do not have lifeguards